SPECIAL REPORT

A Reprint From The Atlanta Journal Constitution, July 1989

Even Weakest Electrical Currents Could Be Harmful, Experts Say

By Robert Lee Hotz
Staff Writer

Common electrical power-systems- from household wiring to hand-held appliances- may pose a health hazard because the electromagnetic fields they generate can produce "substantial" changes in living cells, congressional experts warned Sunday.
Analysts at the congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) have concluded that even extremely weak electric and magnetic fields created whenever electricity flows- may affect hull1all health. The study is the first comprehensive survey of the scientific evidence in a public health controversy over the safety of electric power transmission that has simmered for 20 years. Its conclusions contradict a long standing belief that extremely weak electromagnetic fields are biologically harmless. The OTA study says potential effects of electromagnetic fields range from subtle changes in stress levels and memory lapses to cancer, miscarriages an (3 impaired fetal development. The evidence, while worrisome, still is fragmentary inconclusive. Researchers say they cannot prove that cell damage they have detected in test-tube experiments is replicated in human beings. "We haven't found the smoking gun. But if I were a pregnant woman, I'd stop sleeping under an electric blanket,'' said Dr. Granger Morgan, who helped prepare the OTA study. Dr. Morgan is head of the department of engineering and public policy at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittbourgh.
"I think we have gotten to the point where prudent avoidance is the right strategy," Morgan said. Preliminary results of one study involving 33 women-conducted by Batelle Pacific Northwest Labs-suggest that women who sleep under electric blankets experience "dramatic" changes in their menstrual cycles. Other preliminary studies link an increased risk of childhood cancel to the use of heating pads, water bed heaters and electric heat during pregnancy.
Karen Larsen, the senior analyst for the OTA study, said, "We came to the conclusion that the scientific evidence was pretty strong and that this was something that should be of concen1. It deserves to be taken more seriously. "The biological effects can be a problem for siting transmission lines but it is much more sweeping," she said. "I'm sitting in my office. My computer is over there. The air conditioner is in the corner. The light is over my head. Outside on the street are the distribution lines.
"If it is true and if it is serious it is a very widespread problem for modern society because we are electrified everywhere," she said. The congressional analysts are urging additional research and "prudent safety, measures . The OTA study was conducted at the request of the House Subcommittee on Waste and Power Resources, which was concerned about the potential health effects of high-voltage transmission lines.
But the congressional experts say transmission lines are only one source of exposure. Similar fields are produced by wall wiring, appliances, lighting fixtures and utility distribution lines.
Electromagnetic fields interact will the membranes that envelop every living cell, sometimes interfering with the production of new proteins and sometimes causing cells to manufacture new proteins.
Scientists say the fields also affect tile way cells use calcium, which helps regulate heartbeat, egg development and ovulation.
Even weak electric and magnetic fields can affect living cells and systems," the analysts report.
In July 1989 "The Atlanta Journal Constitution" printed this article. Reprinted in its entirety is this article. Rearrangements of graphics were done to fit the page format.
Researchers Urge "Prudent 'Safety' 'Prudent' safety measures urged by the congressional analysts include:

sitting in my office. My computer is over there. The air conditioner is in the corner. The light is over my head. Outside on the street are the distribution lines. "If it is true and if it is serious, a very widespread problem for modern society because we are electrified every where," she said.
The congressional analysts are urging additional research and "prudent safety measures. The OTA study was conducted at the request of the House Subcommittee on Waste and Power Resources, which was concerned about the potential health effects of high-voltage transmission lines.
But the congressional experts say transmission lines are only one source of exposure. Similar fields are produced by wall wiring, appliances, lighting fixtures and utility distribution lines.
Electromagnetic fields interact with the membranes that envelop every living cell, sometimes interfering with the production of new proteins and sometimes causing cells to manufacture new proteins.
Scientists say the fields also affect the way cells use calcium, which helps regulate heartbeat, egg development and ovulation.
"Even weak electric and magnetic fields can affect living cells and systems," the analysts report.
In July 1989 "The Atlanta Journal Constitution" printed this article. Reprinted in its entirety is this article. Rearrangement of graphics were done to fit the page format.